Kenny Shore – Happiness & Misery
Well, I found this listening experience quite relaxing. There are elements of many past singers in this showcase, but North Carolina’s Kenny Shore manages to squeeze enough originality & creativity out of his songs to be an interesting prospect. Through the moments I soaked up the melodies & lyrics, Kenny’s voice was fluid & carried along with his voice an excellent accompaniment that accentuated his charming tunes.
“What’s the Difference?” & “I’ll Take Off My Hat,” both embody expressive styles. There’s a little of Bob Lind (“Elusive Butterfly”) on the opener & a mix of both Randy Newman & Lyle Lovett on the “hat” number. Pleasant stuff, played with expertise. There are 11 paths to Kenny’s Happiness & Misery (Dropped March 20/Independent/37:46), produced by Jerry Brown & recorded in North Carolina.
It’s a pensive set that’s well-thought-out. The title track is in a style that was developed by artists like David Blue, Eric Andersen, David Ackles, Don McLean & Buzz Clifford. Names probably forgotten today, but they all wrote & sang wonderful songs. There isn’t much written in a commercial mainstream manner, but Kenny (acoustic guitars/harmonica) does update old-fashioned pop-standard characterizations. “Roller Coaster Ride” has an early ‘60s pop melody that’s well accented. Fun. The playing jumps from style to style, but Kenny’s “stage” presence in each tune is strong. He’s diversified, pleases without going out of his way to impress. “Monkey Jungle” is darker, but it’s Beat Generation cool. Exotica backup voices & Kenny’s fine narrative is Raymond Chandler smoky. Nothing sluggish here, it has a tint of melodrama. A touch of Hoagy Carmichael resonates through the arrangement.
Kenny’s voice is filled with storytelling charm. Sincerity comes through without sounding like it’s just a well-sung song. Some types of music are an acquired taste, but not so with Mr. Shore. His songs can find a home in many ears. He drifts off into a vocal area (“Far Away”) with the instincts of veteran UK singer-songwriter Martyn Joseph (“Please, Sir”). Solid songs, sensitive vocals, good themes, all invested in distinguished words. The acoustic guitars chime with clarity. It all comes together, inspiring.
Not everyone can write music & lyrics (they think they can), but this album is an example of skill with instruments known as — a pen, a piece of paper & imagination.
Highlights – “What’s the Difference?” “I’ll Take Off My Hat,” “Happiness & Misery,” “Roller Coaster Ride,” “Monkey Jungle,” “Haunted,” & “Far Away.”
Musicians – Joseph Terrell (electric & acoustic guitars/lap steel & bgv), Joe MacPhail (drums/keys/Hammond organ), Robert Sledge (bass), Andrew Marlin (mandolin), Isaac Derr (thumb piano) & Will McFarlane (lead guitars on “What’s the Difference?”).
Color image courtesy of Kenny’s Facebook gallery. CD @ Amazon & CDBaby + https://www.facebook.com/kennyshoremusic/